 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-03-28 10:15
I have two richard hawkins mouthpieces I'm trying to decide between. One has a very beautiful soothing sound, and is very easy to play any note (altissimo pops out EXACTLY when I want), but is a little softer sounding. The other, has a lot more projection to it, also a very nice sound (I wouldn't necessarily say it's worse or better than the first, just subtly different, but still very pleasing) but is a little harder to control the pitch of the altissimo notes. EX: the first mouthpiece I can pop out an altissimo A or Bb and KNOW it's gonna be right on pitch, unwavering - the second I can still play those notes, but it's a little more hit/miss with making it unwavering and right on pitch, right on cue . . . but could probably be worked out with more practice. Just is a little harder to control)
Personally, I always opt for mouthpieces that play with as much ease as possible. And the first one I can play effortlessly. The second requires more effort to control.
So, would it be better to stick with
A) Excellent control, not as much dynamic range?
or
B) More control effort required, but greater dynamic range?
What would you suggest?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: larryb
Date: 2007-03-28 11:27
I vote for Column B.
Sounds overall like a better mouthpiece. It's great to pop out altissimo As and Bbs, but how often will you need those? If the one (B) with greater dynamic range can still play those notes with some effort, and otherwise gives you a broader dynamic palette, I would definitely take it. You want a mouthpiece that will allow you to project to the back of the hall and play at a whisper when called for.
Then again, maybe it's all about the ligature.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-03-28 12:06
I own both. Just thinning out my clarinet collection 'o stuff so I narrowed my primary mouthpiece to these two while getting rid of all the others. Whichever I choose as primary, the other will be a backup.
Alexi
Good point. There are a number of pieces right now that I'm playing that need that F and G to be there, but it's not like the entire piece is way up there in the stratosphere.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-03-28 12:31
Try recording yourself to see if the differences in dynamics can be heard as much as you think. Sometimes there is a bigness to a sound that seems to be louder, yet another mouthpiece may have a different focus which actually projects better. It is frustrating as it seems that it is always a trade off of one thing or another.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-03-28 13:51
"while getting rid of all the others"
Oops and Drat!
Bob Draznik
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2007-04-02 12:12
I had the same decision a little while back and came out 'B'.
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Author: kuteclar
Date: 2007-04-02 16:11
I like the recording idea. I always seem to notice something better on one recording than the other.
I'd usually choose tone and expression - unless you need to be heard more!
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2007-04-02 18:52
Use A for chamber music, B for that 90-piece orchestra. Why pick a "primary?"
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2007-04-03 13:01
Does it feel like you're in control of the instrument, or like the mouthpiece is in control of the instrument? I found my more 'refined' mouthpiece was limiting what I could do with the instrument, in comparison to my more 'wild' mouthpiece. I took the path of learning to tame the 'wild' mouthpiece.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-04-03 15:58
I feel like with mouthpiece A, the clarinet is much easier to control. I think a note, and finger it, and it plays. It's that simple. With mouthpiece B, I think a note, finger it, but when it plays, it's not always exactly how I wanted it to be played (dynamically or tonally), however it does get a GREAT deal louder and I CAN still hit all the notes. Just takes more 'taming' as Bassie put it.
I just asked one of our vocalists who brought over his recording equipment if I can make a recording of myself so I'll make a recording of myself playing a lyrical passage and a technical passage. I'll probably just pick two passages from Rossini's Theme and Variations. And I'll re-record until I get my best possible versions with each mouthpiece (noting how many times I have to re-record per mouthpiece), and then listen to the differences in expression and how it sounds. If mouthpiece B gets only slightly better results, but with more re-recording's necessary, then mouthpiece A will win. If mouthpiece B is phenominally better with a decent number of more takes, or slightly better with only a few more takes necessary, then I'll spend some time taming it (which hopefully shouldn't take too long).
Does this sound like a decent plan?
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Mags1957
Date: 2007-04-03 17:14
Personally, I would go with A. Having perfect control of notes is such a key element of refined playing.
When you write "With mouthpiece B, I think a note, finger it, but when it plays, it's not always exactly how I wanted it to be played (dynamically or tonally)" I would find that unacceptable. Eventually, you will sound just like yourself on either mouthpiece, so go with the one that's easier to play and contol. JMO.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-04-03 19:33
(Sung to the tune of "Torn Between Two Lovers"):
Torn between two pieces,
feeling... like a nerd,
Wondering if the change in sound,
is one that can be heard?
Should I try more samples?
More brands? Or instead?
Just give up, and shoot self in the head....
Mary Banilow
Pin Tan Alley, New York
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2007-04-03 20:08
Bonade: "Get in a boat (with both mouthpieces)".....you know the rest.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-04-03 20:26
oh alseg . . . to even suggest such a thing . . .
US Army Japan Band
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-04-04 14:57
alexi
you can send the one that has altissimo issues back to hawkins for a tweak, and that can help. You know, one of my very excellent colleagues has been alternating between two hawkins B models, and one R for about the last couple years. He feels like having them both to switch around relieves the monotony, and gives a slightly differernt color. The change in sound is probably non perceptible by the audience either. I go for ease of production, but i also need a good deal of resistance to really project
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-04-11 13:30
I decided to keep the one that gives me great control in all the ranges. I think I'll eventually send the other one for a tweak, but just not now. Thanks for all the help and advice.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-04-11 15:30
Alexi -
I think you made the right choice, for a reason you didn't mention. When you play in a band, you need to blend in with the section, which the less colorful mouthpiece will do.
When I was in the West Point Band, I studied with Alexander Williams, who commented that my sound didn't "ring." He said that most band players had the same kind of sound, which was perfect for band work, but for orchestral or solo work I would need to develop a more colorful, penetrating tone.
Thus you should keep the other, more soloistic mouthpiece and spend time in the practice room working on playing both ways.
Hawkins can undoubtedly tweak the "A" mouthpiece to have more color, but you might not want this for band playing. He can also tweak the "B" mouthpiece for more security, which would be worth doing.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-05-01 20:42
UPDATE
I sent mouthpiece B back to richard hawkins asking him to tweak it. I really didn't know how to explain what was wrong with it, I just told him that I have a mouthpiece of his that is just slightly easier to use and was wondering if he could tweak this one. I received it back two days ago and it's gorgeous. Now I have two phenominal mouthpieces which I love. They are both very equally playable and easy to control. Slightly different sound to them, but I like the sound of both so I'll be rotating between them and have no problem playing either of them.
Great job and Kudos to Mr. Richard Hawkins on a fine product.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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